Software Engineering › Key terms › Y12 Secure Software Architecture › Social, ethical and legal issues
Social, ethical and legal issues
Term Y12 Secure Software Architecture
Definition
The effects of software on people and organisations: employment, data security, privacy, copyright, intellectual property and digital disruption.
Example: 2025 Q23a marker note: give more than one issue and support each with the stimulus.
Found in: syllabus, school notes.
Where it is used in the test
Syllabus area: Y12 Secure Software Architecture.
Question types it can appear in
- Short answer: Outline social and ethical issues using the stimulus (2025 Q23a)
- Extended response: Use it as a supporting point linked to the stimulus.
Where it has appeared in the paper
Secure Software Architecture (Part A, D). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.
Related past questions
- 2025 HSC Q23a (3 marks): Social and ethical issues Secure Software Architecture (Part A) · 3 marks
- 2022 Software Design and Development HSC Q21 (3 marks): Social, ethical and legal responsibilities Secure Software Architecture (Part D) · 3 marks · old syllabus
- 2021 Software Design and Development HSC Q25 (11 marks): Implementation and development approach Secure Software Architecture (Part D) · 11 marks · old syllabus
These are the questions the flashcard set links to this term. Open each one and compare your answer with its marking criteria.
Other questions that mention it
- Familiarisation Q14 Software Automation (Part C) · 8 marks
Study links
- Flashcard: Social, ethical and legal issues in Secure Software Architecture (Year 12) · study that set
- Memorise: Describe the benefits of developing secure software
- Notes: Skeleton: Assess/Discuss social, ethical and legal issues of secure software (5-6 marks) (Secure Software Architecture (Year 12))
- Notes: Evaluate the social, ethical and legal issues and ramifications that affect people and… (Secure Software Architecture (Year 12))
How to use it in an answer
A model sentence
“The effects of software on people and organisations: employment, data security, privacy, copyright, intellectual property and digital disruption.” Then apply it: 2025 Q23a marker note: give more than one issue and support each with the stimulus.
In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.
Command words used with it
Technique for the question types
- Short answer: One clear point per mark, use the stimulus and course terms, and answer the command word.
- Extended response: Plan with the command word, give a judgement or explanation supported by named details from the stimulus, use course terms and cover both sides when asked.
What the marking guidelines and feedback say
Marker feedback: outline MULTIPLE issues; draw on the stimulus.
Old-syllabus question. Use for practice on the overlapping skill only. The new Software Engineering exam does not use the old SDD terms (e.g. CASE tools, system flowcharts, EBNF, assembly).
Old-syllabus question. Use for practice on the overlapping skill only. The new Software Engineering exam does not use the old SDD terms (e.g. CASE tools, system flowcharts, EBNF, assembly).
Worked answers from the marking guidelines
2025 HSC Q23a (3 marks): Social and ethical issues (3 marks): criteria and sample answer
Criteria
3: Outlines relevant social and ethical issues. 2: Outlines ONE social or ethical issue OR identifies relevant issues. 1: Identifies ONE relevant issue.
Sample answer
The website will need to ensure payment and address data is appropriately secured and accessible only to authorised personnel. It also needs to ensure that pages can be viewed in a wide variety of languages and that the information about dishes displayed is accurate and representative of the product.
Common mistakes
- Use the term exactly as the syllabus words it, then link it to the scenario in the question; the 2025 feedback repeatedly rewards using the stimulus.
- Answer the command word: outline gives main points only, explain gives a reason or cause, discuss gives both sides.
Related terms
Same group in the syllabus: Benefits of collaboration (secure development) · Benefits to an enterprise of secure development · Employment (impact) · Copyright · Intellectual property · Digital disruption · Programmed backup · Software development steps for secure code (order) · SQL injection · General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)